In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams audiobook

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.4.5 Stars!This book was one of the best historical romances that I have read in a very long time. I read a large variety of books and I really like to mix things up so I don't read all that many historical romances anymore. Historical romance can sometimes be a little bit predictable but that did not apply to this book at all. This book made me question why I don't read historical romances more often. This book is set in Scotland during the time of the American Civil War. As I read this book, I realized that I never gave a lot of thought as to how an American War would have impacted other areas of the world. I think that the Civil War and its impact on Scotland added a very interesting element to the book. Glynis has always had feelings for Lennox but when she hears that he has plans to marry she leaves her homeland heartbroken. She soon finds herself married and living overseas in the United States. After seven years she returns to Scotland after the death of her husband. Her feelings for Lennox have never changed.Lennox is still very single and has never married. He now runs his family's shipbuilding company with ships high in demand during this time of war. Lennox is one of those men who seem to be able to fix everything and he worries about a man trying to get close to Glynis.The chemistry between the pair was wonderful and I loved that this couple actually talked to each other. Glynis was a little hesitant to share her past with Lennox but she comes around eventually. I loved the secondary characters in this book, Glynis's mother, the town busybody, and Lucy all added to the story even though I often wanted to slap them because of the way that they acted. When faced with difficulties, Glynis and Lennox met them head on. Glynis's reaction to the rumors being spread was simply priceless. There were a few really touching scenes in this book as well a well developed mystery and action. I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical romance. I have previously read a novella by Karen Ranney but this is the first full length book by that author that I have had a chance to read. I definitely plan to read more books by Karen Ranney in the future.I received a copy of this book from Avon Books via Edelweiss for the purpose of providing an honest review.

Once when you were mineI remember skiesReflected in your eyesI wonder where you areI wonder if youThink about meOnce upon a timeIn your wildest dreams.bAs I read this book, I kept thinking of the Moody Blues' lovely ballad "Once Upon a Time.” Later I read on Karen Ranney's website that the song's lyrics reminded her of Glynis and Lennox's story and inspired this book's title. Karen Ranney delivers a passionate second-chance romance, international espionage, and a solid history lesson in her latest book. The story takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, but the events of the American Civil War loom large in the background of Glynis and Lennox's lives. After several years in Washington, D.C., with her diplomat husband, recently widowed Glynis has returned to Glasgow to find that the once-prosperous family mills are suffering because the Union blockade of southern ports is preventing shipments of cotton from leaving America. Her brother, Duncan, searches for a solution, but he is on the verge of having to close down. On the other hand, his best friend Lennox's shipyard is thriving by building swift blockade runners for the confederates. As he would with a real brother, Lennox would like to help, but Duncan's pride will not allow for that. And then, after disappearing from Glasgow for seven years, Glynis walks into a reception honoring Lennox's father. Lennox finds her changed from the "irrepressible” girl he had known. She is still beautiful, but "she's brittle. Very polite, excessively so. She smiles at you but her eyes are flat.” But Lennox is intrigued, and attracted, and he is not going to allow Glynis to ignore him. The more she tries to pull away, the more determined is his pursuit.Glynis is a sympathetic heroine who let her girlish humiliation lead her into a quick marriage to an acceptable man she barely knew. Although he dies before our story begins, Ranney gives the reader a vivid description of an obsequious toady at work who becomes a petty tyrant at home. He molded her into the perfect diplomat's wife, but in doing so he almost destroyed the real Glynis. (She is deeply ashamed of some things she did in America, and her secret leads to complications with Duncan. I didn't entirely buy into this, but that may just be my modern sensibility.) Lennox is a delicious hero: handsome and rich, of course, but devoted to his family and in a way rather lonely. Their interactions are fun to watch, and the romance is very satisfying.Ranney has populated this world with vividly drawn secondary characters. There is the visiting American planter Gavin Anderson, a Confederate blockade runner full of charm and bonhomie (think Rhett Butler) and his English wife Lucy who constantly complains about everything in Scotland. Glynis's girlhood friend Charlotte, and her family, portray the snobbery of Glasgow society and are almost comical in their awfulness. Sinister American Matthew Bauman, whom Glynis knew in Washington, lurks in the shadows and may be a spy. Or a saboteur. Or a murderer.Which brings me back to the history. Great Britain was officially neutral during the American Civil War, but Scots engineering and business ingenuity helped the Confederacy sustain the war effort while London turned a blind eye. Shipbuilders along Glasgow's River Clyde were said to have employed 25,000 men and boys during this time. Vast fortunes were made, and Glasgow was full of spies from both the Union and the Confederacy. Sabotage of ships under construction was a constant worry. At the same time, Scotland's mills were suffering from a lack of cotton, and the arms in/cotton out blockade runners were practically the only way to get keep the mills running. Even so, the cotton-spinning industries never recovered from the effects of the war. (And did you know that the magnificent Clydesdale horses that we American love to watch in beer commercials were bred to haul lumber and supplies for the Clydeside industries?)This is what I love about reading historical romance: the ingenious use of real history as a backdrop for stories of love, and Ranney excels in this. Of course, the love affair between Glynis and Duncan is the main story, and it is not overshadowed by the history. But the secondary plots – gossip, blackmail, bankruptcy, spying, sabotage, snobbery, and murder – keep this intricate story humming along nicely. The structure and pacing are excellent; I kept turning the page to find out what would happen next. What more can a reader ask for?

This was pleasant enough. Great narration and a good story. Brother's Best Friend and a second chance romance. More like a romance that never quite came to be when they were young.It was a very slow burn though and I was bored with the plot in a few ways.4 Stars2.5 on the spice scale. (There wasn't much spice but they were.... very hot when it happened.)

Glynis Maclain once loved Lennox Cameron, but when he didn’t return her love, she marriedsomeone else and left her home, and went to America, and her life changed forever. She is now a widow, and has finally returned to her home, to her family, but she is determined to not let Lennox break her heart again. Lennox is a shipbuilder, and very successful, but has never married, because there has only been one woman who has held his heart…Glynis. Now that she has returned, a widow, he is bound to show her what they can be together, but only if Glynis will let go of past hurts and betrayals and open herself up for love again…What I loved most? Everything…hehe I know I know…but I truly loved this one, and what a great beginning to a new series. I really can’t tell you the exact name of the series yet, since that has yet to be revealed, so I have just guessed that it is about “Scottish Dreams” and the second book comes out this spring, which I am very excited about. Karen Ranney is such a wonderful author, and her talent in creating romances is beyond superb. As I am sure you know, Ranney writes her books centered on a Highlander theme, and this book is more in the Regency era. We also see aspects of the civil war, and I loved having that aspect. Its not a major element to the plot, but the certain qualities of it add a certain depth to the story you don’t expect to see. And the supposed villain, kinda turns out to be not what you really expect, and I loved seeing the varying aspects that combine this one into a winning romance that won my attention from beginning to end.The characters in this story are truly unique and I found their personalities to compliment the plot really well and in ways that surprised me. Lennox Cameron, is quite successful and goes after what he wants. He is a fabulous hero, but I felt like the story focused more on Glynis than it did on Lennox. We see more inside depth on her character, and of her past a bit, and how her previous marriage changed her, but what I also liked is how this story really implements the self discovery of herself even more than you expect, and I liked seeing her inner strength show more, and we see how she is a great match for Lennox. Even though we don’t see as much of his character as we do of Glynis, we do see his struggles a bit, and how their personalities really mesh together in a way that is just wonderful.This love story is quite a winner for me, I had so much fun with these two, and boy do they know how to add conflict to their relationsip, and they don’t make it easy on themselves and just admit their feelings to each other…oh no they have to do this long mating ritual, but the final outcome is definitely worth the wait. Overall I enjoyed how the different elements of the story come together in the end, for a full satisfying read that will captivate you. A STELLAR ROMANCE!!

4.5 StarsGlynis Smythe has adored Lennox Cameron, her older brother’s best friend and their neighbor for her whole life. At the age of five, she claimed him as hers. At nineteen, she decided it was time to make her move. She summoned him to meet her in a private room, where she threw her arms around him and kissed him. Lennox is at first stunned, then as he begins to respond, they are interrupted by a lady who would prefer to keep Lennox for herself. Still bemused, Lennox allows himself to be led away, not realizing that Glynis would take that as rejection. When Glynis hears rumors that there is an imminent engagement between Lennox and this same lady, she takes off for London. There she meets an aspiring diplomat, who feels she could be molded into the perfect hostess for him. He proposes a businesslike marriage, and Glynis, never wanting to have to face Lennox and his soon-to-be wife, accepts. They are wed immediately and leave for America. Now, seven years later, widowed, and without any means of support, Glynis returns home to Scotland. The rumors of Lennox’s impending marriage were just that – rumors. He is still single. When Lennox sees Glynis for the first time in seven years, he notices several things. First of all, she’s more beautiful than ever, but her joy and vivaciousness are gone. Her smile is brittle, she is overly polite, and her eyes are flat and lifeless. She also seems determined to spend little time with him. For her part, Glynis is dismayed to find that she still is overwhelmed by Lennox. All the time apart has not lessened her love. A second chance at love is one of my favorite tropes, but there is so much more to this story. It takes place during the American Civil War, and that had far reaching effects, both for Lennox’s shipbuilding business and for the diplomatic circles Glynis moved in. As quoted in this book, “War is hell,” and it caused people, including Glynis, to do things they wouldn’t normally do. As Glynis tries to move on, her past comes back to haunt her. Karen Ranney has written an absolutely captivating story with so much happening. Lennox is one hot Scot – protective, honorable, strong, and off the charts sexy. There is murder, blackmail, treachery, secrets, gossip, arson, passion, and heartbreak – all leading to an exciting and engrossing read. The focus, though, is the wonderful love story, with a most satisfying happy ever after that was seven years in the making. Review appeared at rosesareblue.nethttp://wp.me/p3QRh4-6H

Posted on What I'm ReadingI thoroughly enjoyed In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams. I love the inner dialogue Glynis and Lennox have during this story. It was a lot of fun to read. So, we have Glynis and Lennox and they have both loved each other for a long time, but pride seems to get in their way. Since the pride is the big issue, neither one of them wants to admit mistakes. Terrible downfall that pride. A wounded Glynis runs off and marries another, and she eventually comes back after seven years. By the way she comes back a widow and she aims to stay far away from Lennox no matter what her heart says. Lennox was hurt when she up and left another, and he never understood why. However, he vows to stay away from her. Love this story, because we watch these two try everything to stay away one another. Yet, they seem to be in the same area. Fate is a fickle bitch. So, we have that going on, and we still have more to story. In the blurb it talks about Lennox helping the Confederates cause by building ships. He decides to try to protect Gavin Whittaker and his wife by taking them in. First off, Gavin's wife is not very pleasant. Wait, she's downright awful, and she has nothing nice to say about anything. Kind of important to remember Gavin and his wife. Then we have another key player in the story Mathew Baumann and he's sniffing around for the union army. Overall, In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams is a fantastic story about second chance love. I found myself not wanting to stop reading for anything. I kept telling myself one more chapter. I'm excited to see what direction the story goes. Lennox and Glynis are wonderfully stubborn. I love Glynis character the most, because at the beginning the book you see her as this wild and freed person. However, life's circumstances changes her, and you wonder what went on in her marriage with her first husband. So, we slowly got to see glimpse what she went through. She had a lot of courage, which I admire. Lennox is lovable. Yes, a page turner and I can't wait for more. Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss

Good second chance story with a bit of mystery and a different background than most historical romances. I really enjoyed the setting of Glasgow and the merchant classes as a break from London and the nobility. I also learned some things about the American Civil War that I didn't know before. I love it when an author does the research to ensure that their stories are accurate.Glynis and Lennox had grown up together as neighbors, with Lennox being her brother Duncan's best friend. When she was eighteen, she gathered her courage and told him how she felt and kissed him, only to have him stare at her in shock. To make matters worse, she heard that he was going to marry someone else. She fled to London, where she accepted the proposal of a British diplomat, then going with him to America. Seven years later, she returns to Glasgow as a widow, happy to be back home with her family.But things have changed. Her family has fallen on hard times thanks to the war. Their cotton mills have been hit hard by their inability to get shipments from the South. Her father died right after she married, and her brother is trying to keep the business going. On the other hand, Lennox and his family have done well with their shipbuilding business. His crafts are in high demand by Confederate blockade runners. She is surprised to find out that he has never married.The first time that Lennox and Glynis see each other after her return, there are sparks. But Lennox notices changes in her, ones that seem to have beaten down the spirit he remembers. He's missed her and thought of her often over the years. He's intrigued by and attracted to the woman she is now, and is determined to get to know her again.She is still just as attracted to him, but she can't give in to it. There is too much that she has seen and done that keeps her from believing that she could ever deserve having him back in her life. Her life with her husband hadn't been a happy one. The man she thought he was turned out to be very different. The more I learned about him, the less I liked him. Everything she went through made her a stronger person, even though she didn't always see it. She hopes that being back home will enable her to move on with her life, until someone from her past shows up with plans of his own.I really enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Lennox and Glynis. She had never doubted her love for him, but because of her past she is determined to stay away from him now. The problem is that Lennox isn't cooperating, and the effect he has on her makes it hard for her to stick with her intentions. Lennox hadn't realized his feelings for her until it was too late, and now that she's back he's determined to get his way. I enjoyed their interactions; thanks to the long history they have together they are frequently very amusing.There's one scene between them that gets witnessed by a rather nasty woman, who then proceeds to attempt to destroy Glynis and Lennox's reputations, which only forces them together. But both of them let their pride get in the way of sharing their feelings, leading to misunderstandings and a lack of trust. Lennox is also protective of Glynis, if only he could find out just what he's protecting her from. Both Glynis and Lennox were dealing with the effects of the American Civil War. Lennox and his shipbuilding business have been very successful at building ships that are capable of running the Union blockade of the South. Though Great Britain was technically neutral in the war, there were quite a few businesses that ignored the government's position. There is someone who seems very determined that Lennox not be able to fulfill his latest order. When his purchaser is murdered right there in the shipyard, he's determined to find out who is responsible. Glynis has someone from her past who is blackmailing her, trying to get her to spy on Lennox and his business. She's ashamed of some of the things in her past, and is afraid of what could happen when Lennox finds out. I loved seeing how she found the courage to do what she had to do, and how she went about doing it. There was an interesting twist to the identity of the murderer and it wasn't who I expected it to be.

In the start to a new series, Karen Ranney brings the intrigue and heat with In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams. Set against the political machinations of the American Civil War as we reunite Glynis MacLain, now widowed owner of the MacLain cotton mills with her former lost love Lennox Cameron, shipbuilder. Years ago, Glynnis and Lennox were acquainted when her romantic lack of sensibilities led her to pronounce her love for him, to which he had no response. Devastated and angry, she soon accepted another man’s proposal, and fled to America with him. In the years that have passed, Lennox has made a success of himself as a shipbuilder of some renown, but there are rumors and whispers in Glasgow, not all about others. When Glynnis returns to Scotland a widow, she is concerned with the continued difficulties posed by the American Civil War, and the effect of the cotton shortage on her mills. Being away from home, her correspondences were limited with Scotland, although many of the rumors did sneak over. So, not only is she concerned for her own financial future, she finds herself trying to sort fact from fiction, managing the tricky political climate and reestablishing herself in Glasgow society. Ranney manages to imbue this story with so many different elements to bring the time and politics to the reader in an easy-to-understand way, while adding in a touch of mystery, murder and mayhem all wrapped up underneath the flirtation and budding romance between Glynnis and Lennox. Their interactions are wonderful: funny, clever, fast-paced and laden with humor and emotion that shows the true connection between the two. While not over-emphasizing societal stricture, dress or background, those subtle descriptions are dropped lightly throughout the story, giving readers plenty of information for visualization, as well as (in the case of Charlotte) adding to the character’s personality and foreshadowing their likability. Ranney has several different lines of subplot that twist through the main love story between Glynnis and Lennox, that keep the reader wondering who did what, and who can they believe. One can’t help but feel for Glynnis and Lennox as they sort through everything that is happening. You need look no further to see why I love my historic romances – with a story so full of intrigue, heart, history and turmoil, you get it all in a manageable bite as you are transported to the world between the pages. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review for The Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Glynis MacIain has known Lennox Cameron most of her life and loved him just about that long. When she foolishly declared her love for him with a passionate kiss at a ball given by her father for his Russian business partner and was met with silence, Glynis fled to London where she met and wed Richard Smythe, up and coming member of the British delegation. Now, seven years later and widowed, Glynis has returned to her family in Glasgow, Scotland. She's also not the girl Lennox remembers; Glynis has secrets, is very reserved and vows to resist Lennox's charms at all costs. With the Civil War raging in America and Lennox building blockade runners for the Confederacy on the Clyde, Glynis will soon find herself caught up in the Washington past she hoped to leave behind. Add to that one very nasty English bride who's spreading rumors about Glynis and Lennox and soon there's no choice but to wed in the strict society of Glasgow. But will their secrets tear them apart?If only their foolish pride (as other reviewers have mentioned)had prevented them from acting on their feelings all those years ago, what heartaches could have been avoided? I enjoyed this book not only from Glynis' and Lennox' story but also, from seeing another side to the effect the Civil War had on others; we don't often think of that. Stubborn, stubborn people are Glynis and Lennox; they nearly lost each other several times over!

When childhood love blooms into a full loving relationship, I just can't seem to put the boom down. I would have liked the villan to have been a little more kniving but it was well written.

Mmmmmm Lennox Cameron, what a hunk of man flesh. I can certainly understand why Glynis MacIain spent most of her life in love with him… but not why she let pride chase her away, and into a loveless and bizarre marriage to an English diplomat. Karen Ranney has created a really nicely balanced world. The once wealthy Maclain cotton mills are unable to weave because the blockade during the American civil war is preventing the raw cotton getting to Scotland. Yet the civil war means ships, so Lennox Cameron and family, long-time friends with Maclaims, have a booming ship building company. We also have the backdrop of political intrigue in Washington infecting Glascow when wayward Mcclain daughter, Glynis, returns home after the death of her husband; only to discover than the rumours she’s been listening to for the last seven years, aren’t quite what they seem. Although there is much intrigue and quite a detailed plot, “In your Wildest Scottish Dreams” is still a light and easy read. The characters are well developed, or those few that aren’t, like eldest Maclain Duncan, the groundwork is set to allow development in their own book. The dialogue is mostly well written and snappy, and the prose managers to generally avoid over describing either food, dress or setting. Except in the case of Charlotte, who’s atrocious taste seems to be as unending as the descriptions of it. Although I admit that I do skim the sex scenes, usually with a very disinterested air, some of the scenes in this were wonderful. Not just for actually having well written sexual play, but for the humour used …I like how your cock trembles when I touch it.” He reared back and stared at her. “I don’t tremble.” She sighed, bit back her smile, and shook her head. “Would you like me to show you? You quiver. I stretch out my hand and your cock almost bounces, it’s so eager. It’s like a puppy.” The main plot is, over course, focused on trying to sort out the tangled mess between Glynis Mclain and Lennox Cameron. Yet, as with many novels in this genre, it’s the secondary plots that provide so much of the interest. We’ve got murder, blackmail, gossip, bankruptcy, pregnancy, nastiness, saintliness, spying and arson. All wrapped up in under 300 pages of well written text. (Review also published on Fangtastic: Ali's thoughts on In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams by Karen Ranney)

Last year I was introduced through the means of reading to Ranney. After the introduction I haven't looked at a romance novel the same way. The author is a rare storyteller. Her stories are beautifully woven, the plots are unique and the heart of the tales are true to the heart of any romantic.At the beginning of this book I wasn't sure that the Lennox, the hero and I would get along very well. By the time I reached his company I had already sympathized with Glynis, the heroine. Most of the time I consider first impressions to make or break a book, but as I stated before Ranney's writing is her own style and push forward onward into the book. I'm glad that I did because I came to fall in love with not only this story, but Lennox as well.The trait that I admire most about this book is in fact the romance. It's untamed and certainly not flawed. I'm certainly enjoying more and more romance novels where the characters have to work towards their happily-ever-after endings because it is much more realistic in today's world. So I applaud Ranney for taking this approach with her novel because the storyline flowed so well.If you are not a reader of romantic novels then this book has a lot of other surprises that I think you will find enjoyable. There are a lot of twists and turns that will leave you with a feeling of unable to put the book down. Since I do not put spoilers in my review I will allow you, a fellow reader to read the novel for yourself and discover all the wonderful things not only about this book but also with Ranney.

Childhood crush to lasting loveOh to be Glynnis and have my scottish highlander. Even thought this story takes place in Glasgow Lennox and Glynnis have that highland pride and mindset. Lennox loves the sea and builds ships. He is tall, dark, and the epitome of a highlander. Glynnis is the proud, willful, and adventurous lass. Hurt and fear drive Glynnis to marry in a way to escape not having to deal with the loss she has imagined. Now seven years later she is back home and faced with her hearts desire only still not able to say or do what she wants to about it. Lennox received a kiss from his friends sister only to be dragged away before he can find out what is going on. Though once engaged he is still single. After another kiss from the same person that h a s haunt e d his thoughts for s even years does he realize what has happened. Now gossip and murder have given him the ability to reach his dream. Plagued by events both will have to learn to trust and reveal themselves to each other in order to have their HEA.

In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams by Karen Ranney is a beautifully written story into the world of shipbuilding, war and love in Scotland. This is Book One in a new series that is sure to please as we explore the effects of the American Civil War through the eyes of amazing characters in Scotland.A widow, blackmail, secrets and two countries struggling to survive. What will happen to Glynis MacIain and Lennox Cameron? Can they overcome the obstacles in their way? Will they be able to trust each other?This is definitely a must read story that will keep you wondering until the very end who’s side everyone is on. I received this ARC from the publiherfor a fair and honest review and am glad I did! This was the first book I’ve read by Karen Ranney and found her work to be refreshing, exciting and full of zest!

Loved It!In Your Wildest Scottish Dream is a fantastic historical romance by Karen Ranney, her storytelling is amazing and creative that keep the readers enthralled.Glynis MacIain made a foolish mistake and with a broken heart married a diplomat and moved to America, now after seven years she has returned to Scotland a widow.Lennox Cameron is a handsome, rich shipbuilder who hasn't married in the past seven years. I loved the chemistry between the hero and heroin,their dialogue were witty and fun.This book has everything mystery, murder, blackmail, gossip, secret, passion and romance.It is a delightful read with great characters,I hope Duncan has his story too.Thank you Karen Ranney

Very nice start to a new series This was a very nice second chance at love story. Glynis and Lennox have known each other forever. And Glynis has loved him for as long as she can remember. A misinterpretation leads Glynis to run away and marry. Now after 7 years she is a widow and has come home to Scotland. Lennox was a really nice man - but I never really felt like I got to know him. Sure there was a glimpse here and there, but mainly the story focused on Glynis's life not Lennox's (pity that). This book has it all - espionage, sabotage, murder, regrets, lost love, witty banter, betrayal, heartache and some steamy romance. Classic Karen Ranney!I am looking forward to the next book and wondering how they will tie together.